The Minister of Employment, Commerce, and Emigration, José González, accompanied by the Secretary General for Emigration, Antonio Rodríguez Miranda, received in Santiago de Compostela today the more than 200 participants in this year's edition of the regional program Reencontros con Galicia. This initiative facilitates contact for Galicians over 65 living abroad with contemporary Galicia and their families. In this instance, they come from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Uruguay, Cuba, and Peru.
The minister highlighted the program's track record and positive reception. This initiative, developed annually in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy and Equality, hosts participants in the Xunta's leisure residences in Panxón and O Carballiño during their stay, which began on October 7th and concludes tomorrow.
During their time here, they have engaged in various leisure activities and cultural visits to different locations, allowing them to reconnect with their roots and Galicia's cultural and natural heritage. The minister emphasized that the Galician community abroad participates in the cultural and social life of Galicia, maintaining ties with their land of origin.
He also noted that some participants will extend their stay to be with family, and that for some, this is their first visit to Galicia in over 75 years, underscoring the emotional significance of this reunion. José González stressed the importance of enabling them to return to their homeland, reunite with family, and experience modern Galicia—a land of opportunities thanks to the efforts of those living there and those who emigrated. He highlighted that the elderly are fundamental in transmitting Galician identity to generations born abroad.
